"Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8)
It is truly amazing the wisdom contained in the Word of God. Even about the "little things". For the child of God there are no little things.
Everything we do carries significance. The words we speak are to reflect and carry the glory of God. The brief word of encouragement we might share with someone may just be the bridge that brings them back from self-destruction. The act of kindness we perform - no matter how small it may seem to us - may have been the sign for which they had been praying of God's awareness of their situation. The phone call just to say hi, the email or text message. Each action, each word, each deed - all speak of the love and care of God toward others.
Ah...but the perversion of this is worldly, dirty, evil. I remember the scene from the movie "The Godfather" when the undertaker comes to the Don asking for a personal favor. The favor is granted, but then comes the famous line, "Someday, and that day may never come, I may call upon you to do a service for me..." And therein lies the hook, the hidden danger, the yoke of burden, for if when that day comes the undertaker is bound to perform it without question or denial. Payday has come, the note has been called in, and he WILL do it. Period. No matter what else is going on in his life, whatever other work he has to do - all will be laid aside until this bill is paid in full. Been there. Done that.
For the first forty-plus years of my life I lived that way. In my early twenties I was exposed to that whole world of the underground, the Mafia. They were good to me. They were friendly, kind, they opened their arms to me. Until... So I learned how to be the one doing things for others - putting them in debt to me. I hate to this day being the one in debt. I want others in debt to me. I am a giver by nature, but now it has become perverted, evil, sinister. Powerful.
Thank God for His mercy! He is delivering me from that mindset and that lifestyle. I am free now to do things for others because I choose to, with no thought of retribution or repayment. Hallelujah! When I do things for others now I don't count it as a debt they owe me. I don't give loans anymore - I give with no strings attached. What a free feeling that is - to give to others as Jesus has given to me! I still owe a few people debts (either financially or otherwise) - and I intend to pay them back. They know who they are. Painfully, so do I. I am in the process now of clearing those debts off the books so I can be totally and completely free. God may it be soon.
I don't know about you, my friend, and where you stand in this matter. Perhaps there are those who have helped you out with strings attached - either spoken or merely expected. But I encourage you to set yourself free from those bondages. Ask God to help you, as I have, to cut those strings, to free you from those attachments and entanglements, so you are free to serve Him completely. May He fly to our rescue - you and me - and release us from debts owed to others. Lazarus, come forth! But, just as importantly, loose him!
Be blessed.
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